Road Rehabilitation of Cogmanskloof between Ashton and Montagu

Over a period of 36 months, the Department of Transport and Public Works will rehabilitate and upgrade various sections of the R60 and R62 between Ashton and Montagu through Cogmanskloof.

The project, valued at R583 million, started in July 2015 and is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2018.

Approximately 7 000 vehicles travel through Ashton and 3 600 through Cogmanskloof and Montagu every day.

The existing pavement structures of these roads have reached their design life.

The projected increase in traffic volumes and the importance of these roads as scenic tourism routes led to the decision to upgrade the affected roads.

This will:

• improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
• improve the rideability of the road.
• increase the flood capacity of bridges.
• prevent overtopping by the Cogmanskloof River.

The project entails:

• reconstructing and widening the existing pavement layers to provide an undivided dual carriageway through Ashton.
• reconstruction and widening of existing pavement layers of the single carriageway road through Cogmanskloof.
• reconstruction of the existing pavement layers through Montagu.
• demolishing and rebuilding three river bridges increase their capacity (the Ashton, Boy Retief and Voortrekker bridges).
• upgrading storm water drainage systems.
• replacing street lighting in Ashton and Montagu.
• improving road signage and markings.

General Traffic Management

Stop/ go closures will be erected, resulting in temporary lane closures through Cogmanskloof. In Montagu, Long Street will become a one-way in the direction of Barrydale, while traffic from Barrydale to Ashton will be redirected along Riebeeck Street. The Ashton roadworks will take place in half-widths and two-way traffic will be permitted at all times.

Possible Delays

Waiting times of approximately 10 minutes can be expected at stop/ go closures. Blasting work in Cogmanskloof could take place on Mondays and Thursdays between 12:00 and 14:00.

Empowerment

A minimum of 10 000 person-days of work will be created for local labour from the Langeberg Municipality. R16 million of the contract value is earmarked for targeted enterprises in the Western Cape. Procurement from local suppliers will be encouraged, with an estimated value of about R5 million.